10 Best Herbs that Improve Your Health

Herbs are used in different cuisines to add flavor to a dish without calories. At the same time, herbs provide many health benefits.

In fact, herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat different ailments. The healing and restorative powers of various herbs are pretty impressive and well recognized by experts.

Today, modern science is beginning to uncover the ultimate medicinal power of different herbs as effective weapons against illnesses from common health problems to cancer. This is why herbs, both fresh and dried, are readily available in the market.

Some popular herbs are also available in capsule, oil or extract form.

You can use this herb as a seasoning in cooking, or chew 10 to 12 leaves on an empty stomach. You can also drink basil tea 2 or 3 times daily for better health. To make the tea:

Put 10 to 15 fresh basil leaves in a large cup or jar.

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the leaves.

Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes.

Strain out the leaves and drink the tea.

2. Rosemary

Rosemary is a popular garden herb that is important for health.

This herb contains carnosol and rosmarinic acid, two powerful antioxidants that play a key role in improving your health. It also has potent antiseptic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties.

A very strongly flavored herb, rosemary goes great with soups, sandwiches, salads, dips and even for making infused oil.

You can also make rosemary tea from fresh or dried leaves. To make the tea:

Add 1 to 1½ teaspoons of the herb to a cup of hot water.

Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes.

Strain and drink this tea while it is still warm.

You can drink this tea 2 or 3 times a day.

Note: Avoid using rosemary during pregnancy or if you have epilepsy, hypertension or bleeding disorders.

3. Oregano

When it comes to Italian, Mexican and Spanish cuisines, one herb that is commonly used is oregano. The taste and aroma of oregano is superb, and it is healthy, too.

Oregano contains two powerful compounds, carvacrol and thymol, that have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, diaphoretic and expectorant properties.

You can use this herb to treat the common cold, break up nasal congestion, boost immunity, relieve menstrual cramps, improve heart health, reduce adrenal fatigue and combat toothaches. It can also prevent and treat high blood sugar.

You can sprinkle a little dried oregano on your soups, salads or morning smoothies to enhance the taste. You can also drink a few cups of oregano tea daily. To make the tea:

Steep 3 teaspoons of oregano leaves in 1 cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Strain out the leaves and drink the tea.

4. Sage

Another herb that can boost your overall health is sage.

Sage is used for medicinal purposes due to its stimulant, antibiotic, astringent, tonic and carminative properties. Being rich in volatile oils and flavonoids, it also contains antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Some of the health benefits of sage are it can boost mood, relieve anxiety, soothe a sore throat, boost immunity, aid weight loss, reduce inflammation, promote sound sleep and lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, to name a few.